Crime Blog

Bedford police: Woman accused of dousing friend with gasoline, setting her on fire

A woman is suspected of dousing another woman with gasoline and setting her on fire at a Bedford home Tuesday morning, police said.

Olufnke Whitehead (right), 42, of Irving faces an arson charge in the attack on 41-year-old Ronna Faris, said Bedford police Lt. Kirk Roberts. Faris was being treated Tuesday night at Parkland Memorial Hospital for second and third-degree burns from her shoulders down, Roberts said.

Firefighters were called about 4 a.m. to a home in the 1000 block of Woodland Terrace, near State Highway 183 and Brown Trail. Faris was outside the home with her parents, who had helped her escape.

Police described the two women as acquaintances. He said police had investigated a prior case in which Whitehead was accused of assaulting Faris. But Faris signed a prosecution refusal form in that case on Friday, police said.

Whitehead was being held at the Bedford jail on $25,000 bond.

Top Picks

ArchivesAbout this blog

About this Blog

Criminal justice reporters, editors and invited guests provide news and analysis impacting Dallas-area police, courts, fire and other public safety issues and entities. Readers are encouraged to join the conversation.